Isles Day-to-Day: Bailey Reaction, Prince Practices

Josh Bailey is named second star of the week, Shane Prince practices with team for first time this season

The New York Islanders were on the ice when news of Josh Bailey's league honors dropped on Monday.

Bailey was named the NHL's second star of the week after collecting seven assists in three games last week. It was Bailey's first league nod and the second straight week an Islander was bestowed a star. John Tavares was named the NHL's first star seven days before.

"It's nice to get the recognition a little bit, but really you can't get complacent, you just want to keep playing hard and finding ways to win games," Bailey said.

Bailey is riding a career-long, nine-game point streak (2G, 14A) which is also the longest active streak in the NHL. He's tied for second in the NHL with 15 assists this season and is tied for ninth in assists (58) dating back to last season.

Bailey's been humble about his last year-and-a-half, crediting an increase in opportunity, responsibility and pushing praise to his line mates. Head Coach Doug Weight, who has played with or coached Bailey during his entire career, weighed in and offered praise on Bailey's development into a consistent offensive player.

"He's been a good player for us and a great Islander," Weight said. "He wants to take his game to a new level every time he's on the ice now. I've watched his maturation on and off the ice, his work ethic, his drive to be an elite player. He wants to be better and better and it's fun to see."

Shane Prince took a step forward in his recovery from a lower-body injury, as he skated with the Islanders for the first time this season on Monday.

Prince has been out since August with the lower-body injury, an ailment that needed surgery and was expected to keep him out 4-6 months. Monday's skate is approximately two-and-a-half months since Prince's injury was announced.

"He's got a long way to go," Weight said. "There wasn't going to be too much contact today. I wanted some flow, but it was good to see him out there. He's worked hard."

Weight said Prince will need at least a couple of weeks to get his legs under him and to get to game speed, so a return is not imminent, but rather a step in the right direction.

PRACTICE LINES:

The Islanders kept the same lines from Sunday's game at Monday's practice.